Code of Ethnics

Facilitators, Trainers & Members adhere to all applicable Codes of Ethical Standards as prescribed by their current professional status and/or affiliated associations, including state/government licensing boards.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members provide services, teach, conduct research, supervise and/or consult only in the context and boundaries of their educational achievements and earned credentials.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members undertake ongoing efforts to maintain knowledge and skill levels in their practice specialties.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members do not discriminate with regards to their services, based on sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities or socioeconomic status, or any other factors that are defined or prescribed by law.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members are responsible for maintaining knowledge and updates of laws, regulations and/or policies that are implicated in their practices and services.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members fully disclose their educational qualifications and professional credentials and certifications to their clients when asked and/or when appropriate.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members shall maintain client confidentiality as prescribed by current laws.

If it is suspected that danger or harm may occur to the client or to others as a result of a client’s behavior, the human service professional acts in an appropriate and professional manner to protect the safety of those individuals. This may involve, but is not limited to, seeking consultation, supervision, and/or breaking the confidentiality of the relationship.

Sexual or romantic relationships with current clients are prohibited. Before engaging in sexual or romantic relationships with former clients, friends, or family members of former clients, human service professionals carefully evaluate potential exploitation or harm and refrain from entering into such a relationship.

Human service professionals strive to develop and maintain healthy personal growth to ensure that they are capable of giving optimal services to clients. When they find that they are physically, emotionally, psychologically, or otherwise not able to offer such services, they identify alternative services for clients.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members shall treat colleagues and other professionals and paraprofessionals they are working with, with the same dignity and respect they afford clients.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members shall not work with clients or provide services in any research study without first obtaining appropriate informed consent from the clients.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members shall not engage in any type of sexual relations with clients.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members take the appropriate steps to ensure their own competencies in their practices and safeguard the health and safety of clients.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members fully disclose all fees for services to clients, prior to carrying out those services.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members respect each client’s rights to self-development and self-direction.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members respect each client’s rights of choice, including responsibilities for goals reached, as long as the client’s choices do not cause harm to self or others.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members function as supervisors to supervisees only to the level of competency defined by their training, education, credentialing, and other applicable professional standards.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members seek out consultation and guidance when dealing with any ethical/legal concerns and/or dilemmas related to their practices and services.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members do not practice medical diagnosis, unless the member holds a legal and valid license for medical diagnosis.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members do not abandon or neglect clients in any way, and they assist clients in proper referrals to other professionals and/or needed continued care or services when necessitated and/or indicated.

Facilitators, Trainers & Members do not provide services that create conflicts of interest or where conflicts of interest may likely become an issue.

Facilitators will not conduct group or work with an individuals without purchasing the participant workbook

Facilitators, Trainers & Members do not offer or accept kickbacks, rebates, bonuses or other remunerations for client referrals.

Human service professionals hold a commitment to lifelong learning and continually advance their knowledge and skills to serve clients more effectively.

Human service professionals accurately represent their qualifications to the public. This includes, but is not limited to, their abilities, training, education, credentials, academic endeavors, and areas of expertise. They avoid the appearance of misrepresentation or impropriety and take immediate steps to correct it if it occurs.

Human service professionals protect the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality except when such confidentiality would cause serious harm to the client or others, when agency guidelines state otherwise, or under other stated conditions (e.g., local, state, or federal laws). Human service professionals inform clients of the limits of confidentiality prior to the onset of the helping relationship.

Human service professionals describe the effectiveness of treatment programs, interventions and treatments, and/or techniques accurately, supported by data whenever possible.

Human service professionals obtain informed consent to provide services to clients at the beginning of the helping relationship. Clients should be informed that they may withdraw consent at any time except where denied by court order and should be able to ask questions before agreeing to the services. Clients who are unable to give consent should have those who are legally able to give consent for them review an informed consent statement and provide appropriate consent.